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Buffalo bicyclist convicted of firearms possession

Riding recklessly on a bicycle led to a felony firearms conviction for a Buffalo man.

John Simmons, 22, of 14th Street pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon for carrying a loaded semi-automatic pistol while riding on the handlebars of a bicycle on Normal Avenue in May 2015. Police intending to issue a traffic ticket saw Simmons jump off the bicycle and run down an alley, according to prosecutors. Officers found the gun down that same alley, and although Simmons denied having the gun, DNA evidence connected it to him.

Simmons has a previous felony conviction for weapons possession and faces a minimum of seven years in state prison when he is sentenced on April 21 before Justice Christopher J. Burns.

Buffalo Officers Michael Acquino and Darren McDuffie worked the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Smith.